These events should be stopped

THERE are events held each year on the water-starved Grand Union Canal that not only waste water but caused untold damage, and should be stopped.

Every summer one of the major banks hold 'team building' days through Bulbourne. The main objective for each team, usually two hire boats competing, is to get to Berkhamsted and back to Leighton Buzzard—the starting point—in the shortest time.

Water wasted

This fiasco involves lots of water being wasted as paddles are left open at both top and bottom of locks flooding the towpath and creating waterfalls at the next lock down.

Lock gates are 'crashed' as the water streams through slamming them shut, not only damaging the locks but one day damaging one of the participants.

Excessive wash

And of cause excessive wash is generated as they 'gun' the boats along the summit pound to make it in the shortest time.

Perhaps, with the state of the water supply to that part of the Grand Union Canal, British Waterways will put a halt to these water wasting, and dangerous activities.